12 Jan 11 How to Write within the Word Limits?
Is it often you are asked to write within few numbers of words and you just don’t know how to write within the given word limit? Well, you are not an exception. Many great writers even fail to write within stated word limit. Often it becomes very difficult to write in short, lengthy writing comes easily to us. But, there are circumstances where exceeding word limit is not only time wastage but also get us negative marks in examinations. Learn these few tricks of writing within word limit.
Organize thoughts, jot down points
Don’t just go with the flow. Organize your thoughts first and jot down the points you wish to include. Write each point below one another and leave space for elaboration. Now concentrate on each point and elaborate. Depending upon the word limit perform elaboration part. Don’t elaborate too much that you exceed word limit. Rather than focusing too much on elaborating one point, move on to the next point so that you don’t skip any of them yet stay within the word limit. You always have the scope of getting back to each point once the write up is completed and add more lines if word limit has not been met yet.
Avoid repetitions
One effective way of meeting word limit is by not repeating any thought or meaning twice. Often we keep stretching an intended message over several lines. It keeps fattening our write up. Such technique helps only when we lack substance and wish to write long. Make sure, you convey your points in a sentence or two. Repetitions not only unnecessarily lengthen articles but also bore readers.
Keep a constant watch on word count
Don’t wait for counting words at the end; keep a close watch on words written right from the start. Latest version of Microsoft words automatically displays number of words written in the bottom of the screen. Else after every few lines you can manually check the word count. It will help you to keep your write up within the word limit.
Edit at the end
Of course easiest and most practiced option is editing write up and making it short. When you just couldn’t help yourself from writing a long article and exceeding word limit you are left with the option of revising it carefully, editing all unnecessary points out. You may have to edit then read, again edit and read.
Tags: Circumstances, Close Watch, Elaboration, Exceed, Great Writers, Jot Down, Microsoft, Microsoft Words, Organize, Point Move, Repetitions, Right Start, Scope, Wastage, Word Count, Word Limit, Word Limits
02 Jan 10 Things to Consider While Writing for the Web
The Internet has changed the way we produce, consume, and process information. The way we interact with the online media is entirely different from the way we interact with print media. While going through any printed material we are relaxed, composed and at ease. We are more or less in receptive mode, but when it comes to the online media we are more into doing mode. We want to get the information quickly so that we can use it in our project or assignment at hand.
It will not be wrong to say that the online media is more or less an action media from where we gather information and put to our day to day use. Therefore, the content produced for this media should be different from the content produced for any other media.
Nature of online content
- Instead of reading each word people tend to scan through the material they see on the screen. Hence, the article should be easily scanable. We need to break an article into sub-headings and supply bullet points to make the article easy to read.
- Do not use impersonal pronouns like one, someone, they etc. Use ‘you’ instead of he, she, or one.
- Use conversational language, and do not beat around the bush. Be direct.
- The attention span of individuals surfing net is quite divided; therefore, supply images, tables, and lists to make the article easy to read.
- Holding readers’ attention is the key. And the lighter the article will be to the readers’ eyes the more time they will spend scanning the article.
- You just have ten to fifteen seconds to grab the readers’ attention. So the opening sequence should be powerful.
- The title of your article should build curiosity, which the content of your article should satiate.
- Do not use close- ended assertive questions in your titles which could be answered in ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
The web is a participatory medium. And your article is a way to start a conversation. Do not provide all the answers, leave scope for discussion. The more people will interact with you, the more involved they will become. This is how we build community on the web.
Tags: Attention Span, Break, Bullet Points, Bush, Conversational Language, Curiosity, Fifteen Seconds, Headings, Impersonal Pronouns, Interact, Opening Sequence, Participatory Medium, People, Scanning, Scope, Supply Images, Writing For The Web
25 Oct 09 10 Success Mantra
Everyone wants to be successful. No one wants to fail, but still many fail to achieve what they term as success despite having every skill require to succeed in their chosen field. Why is it so? This post will answer this question, and will tell you what to do to become successful in your chosen field.
Mantra 1: Prepare to fail
Nothing tastes sweeter than success, and nothing prepares you for success like failure does. Success in nothing but a journey from smaller failure to a bigger one with a scope for introspection and analysis at every juncture. If you want to succeed then do not abstain from failing. The more you will fail the more experienced you will have.
Mantra 2: Persist
What turns a failure into a success? Is it skill or is it tenacity? Be tenacious and exercise persistence until you succeed. A person is not a loser or cannot be deemed as a loser until he quits.
Mantra 3: Grow
People who are afraid of growing never succeed. To succeed in your chosen field, you need to keep yourself apprise of the knowhow of your field.
Mantra 4: Dare to do
Do not get caught in the analyzing mindset. There will no better time than “NOW” to take action. Do not become victim of analysis or paralysis.
Mantra 5: Help others
There is a difference between one who touches the sky and the one who sniff the soil all their life. And that difference lies in the willingness to help. Keep helping people, and you will learn many things in the process.
Mantra 6: Network
Helping others selflessly is how you build network of trusted friends. Be willing to give, just asking for something in return will not help you build a network.
Mantra 7: Do not lie
Be honest to yourself and others. Do not brag or lie.
Mantra 8: Avoid overpromising
Nothing backfires as strongly as does overpromising and under delivery. Do more and promise less.
Mantra 9: Own your mistake
Indulging in a blame-game is a typical mindset of loser. If you have erred, accept it, learn from it and move on. There is no point in playing blame-game. As it is, no one is going to believe you.
Mantra 10: Learn to say no
Saying no is very important. If you do not know how to effectively say no without antagonizing the recipients then you will either end up having more foes than friends, or you will end up wasting time doing things that does not matter to you.
Tags: Better Time, Blame Game, Failure, Helping Others, Introspection, Journey, Juncture, Knowhow, Loser, Many Things, Mindset, Mistake, Nothing Tastes, Paralysis, Persistence, Scope, Soil, Success Mantra, Tenacity, Willingness
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